What a conviction! Guru Purnima

குரு பிரம்மா குரு விஷ்ணு குரு தேவோ மகேஸ்வர |

குரு சாஷாத் பரப்பிரம்மா தஸ்மை ஸ்ரீகுருவே நமஹ ||

Once a whitish by name J W Elder asked Maha Swami,

"Those days why is it, for no reason Artha Sastra advised waging war against other kingdoms, expansion mania?".

Before seeing what answer Maha Swami gave to above query, it's pertinent here to note what Maha Swami referred to about Artha Sastra.

The prime Source is Veda.  Apart from the main Vedas, there are many other upa Vedas including Artha Sastra like Ayur Veda, Kandarva Veda, Danur Veda et al. It may seem surreal to see why Artha Sastra alone doesn't have the same name pattern. The names of other upa Vedas like Ayur Veda, Danur Veda all end with the suffix 'veda', while Artha Sastra doesn't.

The reason Maha Swami cites is, despite all upa Vedas have their succincts from Vedas, the Artha Sastra have elements on its own away from Main Vedas. That's the reason why the name ending with Sastra instead of with Veda.

Well, 

Coming back to Maha Swami's answer to the white gentleman,

" The practice - of waging war against other kingdoms with the idea to usurp - was of those days.  It has more to do with Artha - Artha Sastra - and nothing to do with Vedas, Dharma Sastras.  Hence not to assume Vedas validate such acts - of usurping the wealth of others and expansion mania."

What a strong conviction?

Gu in குரு is darkness, ignorance.

Ru is to enlighten.

Pranams to Maha Swami and All Saints of Ma Bharath, on this Holy Guru Purnima Day.